Capitol Conference 2026 has come and gone.  Several members from Washington State attended.  Following are some of the priorities about which members talked to their legislators:

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• Codify site-neutral payment reform and broader policies that curb anti-competitive  practices to tackle structural drivers of healthcare costs.  Site-neutral payment reform ensures that the same healthcare service is reimbursed at the same rate regardless of where it is delivered, when clinical complexity and patient safety are comparable.

• Co-sponsor the WISH Act – establishes a long-term care benefit under Social Security to help retirees with serious disabilities and reduce Medicaid reliance.

• Co-sponsor the Medicare Enrollment Protection Act.  Support for COBRA and Creditable Coverage bill.  This act allows seniors to transition from COBRA to Medicare without late enrollment penalties for Part B.

• Co-sponsor the Independent Brokers Time Act of 2025 – urge HHS to reexamine the regulatory framework governing independent agents, brokers and third-party marketing organizations under Medicare Parts C and D.  NABIP worked with Senators Rounds and Cortez Masto to introduce this bill.

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If you have questions regarding any of these issues, please contact Ben Petersen, NABIP WA Legislative Chair, at bpetersen@pelorus-cg.com.

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Submitted by Marsha Tellesbo, NABIP WA PAC chair